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Original Caption Released with Image:

This high-resolution color image highlights the bright peaks of Mickiewicz crater, named for the Polish poet Adam Mickiewicz. The peaks in the center of the crater's floor appear bright due to the presence of hollows - bright, shallow depressions etched on the surface. Peak-ring structures form in complex craters, which characteristically have broad, flat floors and uplifted centers.

This image was acquired as a targeted high-resolution 11-color image set. Acquiring 11-color targets is a new campaign that began in March 2013 and that utilizes all of the WAC's 11 narrow-band color filters. Because of the large data volume involved, only features of special scientific interest are targeted for imaging in all 11 colors.

The MESSENGER spacecraft is the first ever to orbit the planet Mercury, and the spacecraft's seven scientific instruments and radio science investigation are unraveling the history and evolution of the Solar System's innermost planet. MESSENGER acquired over 150,000 images and extensive other data sets. MESSENGER is capable of continuing orbital operations until early 2015.

For information regarding the use of images, see the MESSENGER image use policy.